There were more than one million foreclosures last year. It is not unusual to see many mom-pa type of businesses that survived for decades close because of decreased profits. It is not surprising that beggars have returned to roaming our subways requesting remuneration sometimes with dignity sometimes aggressively.

This is during a time when many of our young people are starting their adult lives with reduced prospects. It is also notable that the wars and occupations of other countries by our military forces receive little attention by our media. Too many American families are dealing with loss of lives and body parts of their loved ones because of our country’s misguided entry into foreign lands.

All this misery is a result of poor decisions by our elected officials, corruption of the same officials and corporate leaders, and a system that values monetary gain over the needs of the working people and the disadvantaged. We need a campaign to reform society that does not weaken the rights of those who work.

It is sad and tragic that unionization is under attack. Employers can hire and fire at will and corporations although their profits are increasing are not hiring. There is a need to balance the needs of the corporate employers and out financial institutions with strong unions that ensure an equitable society that will lessen the misery.